DORMANT TALENTS?
By: John
Gipson,
"Do not concern yourself about the
number of talents you have, but with what you do with those you have,"
said Harold Lindsell.
He continued, "The original gifts are from God. The development of those gifts is the work of
the individual."
Have you taken the time to analyze the
talent(s) God has given you? Many of us
have never taken this first step. In our
own eyes we feel so inferior to those who have received large gifts that we
give up before we start. We may even
wrongly conclude that their superior talents were simply given, and not take
into account the fact that many of them developed a latent gift through
diligent effort. Am I sure that all of
their ability came naturally, or is it possible that some of it was won with
hard work? Do I have some talent lurking
in the shadows which could be brought to light if I threw off my laziness? My fear? My cowardice? I know
that I must be careful not to think too highly of myself, but at the same time
I should realize that God is going to hold me responsible for what He has given
me. Ability means responsibility.
Christians collectively are likened to a
body--a body with many members. Each body has many members with different
functions, and these members are not interchangeable. The eye cannot do the work of the ear, or the
lungs do the work of the heart. Every
member is important! So if I neglect the
talent God has given me, or fail to develop it, the body is going to
suffer. Furthermore, I am going to be
held responsible.
Jesus said, "Every one to whom
much is given, of him will much be required; and of him to whom men commit much
they will demand the more."
(Luke 12:48)
Your need, like mine, is
to devote what you are and develop what you have to the glory of God. Not any of us can afford to allow God given
talents to lie dormant.